With the highly elegant and stylish Hyundai EON's aplomb entry into the Indian auto industry, the market image and sales performance of the popular hatchbacks has become quite vulnerable. Hyundai Eon has been brought in as the cheapest car ever produced by the company and thus, has a strong reason to confront the likes of Maruti Alto, Chevrolet Spark, Tata Indica V2 Xeta and Maruti WagonR.
As a matter of fact, Hyundai has been luring the auto market with the sheer class and uniqueness of its two small ace cars, the Santro Xing and the i10. Therefore, the new small car joining the league confirms a high time, even for leaders like Maruti Suzuki. It is important to note that Maruti WagonR and Hyundai EON can possibly lock horns with each other in the coming time.
Hyundai Motors has laid major stress on the appearance of EON, giving it an advance styling and contour, with better dynamics. The exterior part of EON depicts a consummate blend of sportiness and simplicity. It comprises rear window washer, front lamps, body coloured ORVMs, body coloured bumpers, rear spoiler, front wipers, options for alloy wheel covers, body coloured door handles and more.
On the other hand, Maruti WagonR has a less hyped outlook and styling that has proved exemplary among the hatchback segment for over 14 years. Moreover, the upgraded version of the car is all the more robust and enticing, and thus, pulls the masses. The exteriors of this car feature adjustable headlights, fog lights, electric adjustable rear view mirror, rain sensing wiper, rear window washer, rear window defogger, steel wheels and et al.
The inside view of Hyundai EON makes one realise that the internal accessories have been well defined and placed after a lot of pondering. However, it does not live up to the level of that of Maruti WagonR. The dash board and centre console of the car have been covered with plastics that are used in high end vehicles.
As far as the space of Hyundai EON is concerned, leg-room does not seem to be a problem, and headroom and shoulder space ensure highest comfort levels.
The interiors of the revamped Maruti WagonR overshadow that of Hyundai EON. The fabric mating and the dash board design of WagonR grabs much eyeballs. With a height of 1670 mm, WagonR offers ample headroom that ensures taller occupants to sit with ease. Moreover, the leg-room space of the car is more than that of EON.
Hyundai EON carries a 0.8-litre, 3 – cylinder, petrol engine that produces a peak power of 55 bhp at 5500 rpm and a maximum torque of 76.5 Nm at 4000 rpm. Independent McPherson Strut front suspensions and Torsion Beam rear suspensions, enables the small car to move smoothly during uneven road conditions.
The new Maruti WagonR is backed by the immense power of a 998 cc, 3-Cylinder, 12-Valve KB10 petrol engine that performs with greater efficiency than EON. With a maximum power generation of 67 bhp at 6200 rpm and a peak torque of 90 Nm at 3500 rpm, WagonR leads the race. In addition McPherson Strut with Coil Spring front suspensions and Isolated Trailing Link with Coil Spring rear suspensions confirm greater off-road capabilities.
Hyundai EON will come in the price range of Rs. 2.5 lacs and Rs. 3.5 lacs. Being slightly higher, the new WagonR is available for the buyers in the price bracket of Rs. 3.5 lacs to Rs. 4.5 lacs.
